A man in Tijuana injured his nephew after a cartridge exploded while he attempted to turn the round into a keychain [1].
The incident highlights the extreme dangers of manipulating live ammunition and the risks associated with improvised metalwork using explosive materials.
Pedro, 62 [2], was in the Colonia Pedregal de Santa Julia neighborhood of Tijuana, Baja California, when the accident occurred [1]. According to reports, Pedro used a torch to heat a cartridge in an effort to modify it into a piece of jewelry [1]. He intended to surprise his nephew, Víctor, with the homemade gift [1].
During the process, the heat caused the projectile to explode [1]. The resulting blast struck Víctor, 34 [2], causing an injury to his arm [1].
Local authorities and emergency services responded to the scene in the Pedregal de Santa Julia area [1]. The incident serves as a cautionary example of how thermal energy can trigger the primer or propellant in a cartridge, effectively firing the round without the need for a firearm.
While the specific medical status of Víctor was not detailed in the initial reports, the event underscores the volatility of ammunition when exposed to high temperatures [1].
“Pedro attempted to heat a cartridge with a torch to make a keychain”
This incident demonstrates the physical instability of ammunition when subjected to external heat sources. Because cartridges are designed to ignite under specific pressure and temperature conditions, using a torch on live rounds can lead to unplanned detonation, turning a household object into a dangerous projectile.
